Container



Patented May 19, 1931 my A. man, or mun, YORK commas.

Application ill ed August 22, 1930; Serial ll'o. $76,888.

This invention relates to a container, and

especially to one intended for use in connec-.

-' a cover flap arranged to extend downtionwith fragile articles, such aseggs.

An object of the invention is to provide 5 generally improved and more satisfactory cushionin means in'such a container to reduce brea age of eggs or other fragile articles placed therein. T 1

Another object is the provision of satisfacio tory collapsible cushioning. means in a container of the collapsible type, which cushioning means is so designed and constructed that it will be opened to pro .r position. easily and automaticall when t e container is ex- 15 panded to norma position.

A further object is the provision in a collapsi'ble container of article supportin means which will not interfere with the cofiapsing of the container and which will invariably be properly ositioned bythe mere act of expandingt e container.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, .the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan of a container constructed so in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cover thrown back to open position and partially broken away; I Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the filler or par- 3:; tition structure of the container;

Fi g. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the container;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the filler or partition structure artiallycollapsed and Fig. 6 is a si e elevation of the filler or partition structure collapsed.

Similar referen e numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

\ This application is an improvement upon the structure disclosed in my copending application for container for fragile articles, ed April 17 1930, Serial No. 444,910. The container comprises a box body which 'cover is closed, as shown in Fig.3. Within is referably collapsible, having a bottom 11 a out Wall 12, .a rear wall 13, a cover 14, an

wardly adjacent the front wall 12 when the this body there is removably laced a filler or Y artition structure which sub ivides the bogiy into a plurality of separate compartments, 1 though at times this filler or partition structure may be used by itself as a container, without being placed within the body. The filler comprises longitudinal partitions 21, 22, and 23, and a plurality of transverse partition members 25 which extend crosswise of the partitions 21, 22, and 23 when thelatter are 1:: normal expanded position, as shown in Fig. 1, but which swing to a position ap proximately parallel to the longitudinal partitions when the structure is colla sed by' moving the partitions 21, 22, and-23 ongitudinally relative to each other and inwardly toward each other. The transverse partition members 25 are provided with suitable slots interlocking with suitable slots in the partitions 2]., 22, and 23 in known manner. Article supporting means is provided in connection with the filler to support the eggs or other fragile articles in a position somewhat above the bottom 11 of the box body, so that a somewhat resilient or cushioning 80 support is furnished in order to reduce the possibility of breakage of the articles. This cushioning means in its preferred embodiment comprises a generally V-shaped member between the partitions 21 and 22, and another generally V -shaped member between the partitions 22 and .23, as best shown in Fig. 3. Preferably both V-shaped members together with certain supporting oraflixing flanges are i made of a single integral piece of cardboard or the" like, suitably scored. For instance, referring to Fig. 3, each V-shaped member comprises a sloping portion 30 and another sloping portion 31 hinged to each other b means of a score line at the oint 32, whic point preferably rests upon the bottom 11 of V the body when the container is expanded and, when articles, such as eggs 33, are packed therein.

Each V-shaped article supporting member also comprises an affixing flange 34 hingedly connected to the portion by asuitable score;

. line. The aflixing flange 34 of each article supporting member is secured by any suitable means such'as adhesive to'one of the partitions 21, 22, or'23 nearthe lower edge thereof.

' Preferably, as shown in i 3, the aflixing flanges 34 of botharticlesupporting members late secured to the. middle partition 22, and when this is done, both of the article supporting members niay be conveniently constructed I of a singleintegral piece of cardboard, the

' flanges being joined to each other by a porion which bends around the bottom of the middle partition 22.

Each of the article supporting members vis also provided. with a flange 36 joined to the edge of the portion 31 by a suitable score line,

which flange preferablyextends substantially vertically downwardly and rests upon the bottom 11 so as to form a support for the outer edge of the article supporting member. Preferably also this flange 36' is folded or .doubled back upon itself at 37- and thence ex- 85 tends upwardly as-at 38 and has its upperedge somewhat above the portion 31, as shown mostclearly in 3 and 4. The portions- 36 and 38 are connected to each other by adhesive. This flange 36,,38 lies substantially flat against one of the partitions, suchas 21 I or 23, and in confined between such partition and a bearing surface formedon some or preferably all of-the transverse partition members 25.

When the filler orpartition structure (when removed from the box body) is col;

lapsed, the article supporting members fold up between the partitions 21, 22, and 23,- as indicated in Fig. 5. When the filler is expended, the article supporting members likewise expand to the positionillustrated in .Fig. 3. Such expansion is greatly facilitated by 'thebearlng surfaces 40 of the transverse zpartition members cooperating with the anges 38 of the article supporting members.

' The bearingf'snrfaces 40 tend to hold each flange substantially against the adjacent partition and thus positively insure proper expansion of the V-shaped supporting member. Such e ansion is also aided to some extent by the V -shaped downwardlyextending lugs 41 on the transverse. partition-members 25,

' which extend into the space between the portions 30 and 31 of the supporting members,

5 and 'tendto expand these portions when the "fillerjis expanded.

Itwill be remembered that when collapsing or expanding the filler or partition structure, the partitions 21, 22, and 23 move. longitudiw nally relative to each other as well as transversely toward oraway from each other. For

this reason, the article supporting member cannot be attached rigidly to two partitions because suchattachment would prevent the I longitudinal movement of the partitions.

Hence each supportingmember is. attached rigidly only to one partition (preferably .the'

partition 22) and may slide longitudinally relative to the other partition with which'it cooperates (21 or 23). any possible downward sagging of the outer or unattached edge of-the supporting mem- In order to prevent her which is adjacent the partition 21 or 23,

means is provided for supporting the article supporting member adjacent such partition 21 or 23. v

In the preferred .form of. the invention,

such supporting means comprisesa slot 45 in the flange 38 of each article supporting member, and a lug engaging this slot to sup 7 port the flange and thus to prevent the flange from dropping downwardly While at the same time permitting it to move longitudinally relative tothe adjacent partition when the partitions are collapsed or expanded." This lug is preferably formed on one of the transverse partitions 25, and is indicated by the v numeral 46 in Figs. 3 and 4. In the present instance, as shown in, Figs. 2 and 6, the 111 s 46 are provided on two partition members 5 and the slots 45 are made ofcorrespondrn length to cooperate with these two lugs. t.

is obvious. however, that a greater or less" number of partition members 25 may be provided with lugs, and in actual use it has often been found satisfactory to provide only one supporting lug 46 on each-side of the filler. When the partitions are being expanded or collapsed, the upper edge of the slot 45 rides along the upper surface of the lug 46 and thus'holds the flange 38 at; the desired predetermined elevation, preventing it and other parts of the article supporting member from dropping downwardly.

To insure proper engagement of the lug 46 in the slot 45, the lug is preferably made of such length that it extends somewhat beyond the flange 38, and the partitions 21 and 23 are accordingly provided with openings 47 opposite the lugs 46, so that the lugs may extend into these openings without interference, as shown especially in-Fig. 4.

In operation, the containers are preferably shipped from the factory to the. user in knocked-down form, the container bodies be- 'proper expansion of the V-shaped articles supporting member. At the same time the lug 46 engaging the slot 45 holds the flange 38 up in proper position and prevents them 65 tition, said fromsagging downwardly or otherwise becoming displaced. Thus the mere act of expanding the partitions 21, 22, and 23 automatically and invariably expands the article supporting members 30 and 31 and insures proper positioning thereof Without any care or attention by the operator.

When the expanded filler in the body, fragile articles such as eggs 33 may be packed in the filler and the portions 30 and 31 of the article supporting members will actas somewhat resilient supports for the articles, so that. they may be dropped into the container without great care and yet will not be cracked as might occur if they came directly into contact with the flat bottom 11, and so that they will not break during shipment. Under some circumstances the partition structure itself may be satisfactorily used as a container without enclosing it in a covering body. v I

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise de-[ tails described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A container comprising a plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relative to 85 each other from an expanded position spaced j acent each other, an article supporting member connected to one partition and extending in a general direction toward a second parti tion, and means for supporting said member adjacent said second partition while permitting said member to move longitudinally relative to said second partition when the partitions are collapsed or expanded. 2.. A container comprising a plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relative to each otherfrom an expanded position spaced from each other to a collapsed position adj a-.

cent each other, a foldable article'supporting '50 member connected to one partition and exo'nd partition and foldable between said partitions when they are. collapsed, and means for supporting said member adjacent said second partition while permitting said member to move longitudinally relative-to said second partition when the partitions are colof partitions movable longitudinally relatlve lapsed or expanded.

3. A container comprising a plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relativeto each other from an expanded position spaced from each other toa collapsed position adjacent each other, an article supporting member connected to one partition and extending in a general direction toward a second parsupporting member including a has been placed from each other toa collapsed position ad-- position, nected to tending in a general direction toward a sec-" 'tion adjacent each other,

surface adjacent said second partition and a slot in said surface, and meansincluding a lug engaging said slot for supporting said artlcle supporting member adjacent said secto move longitudinally relative to. said second partition when the partitions are 001-" lapsed or expanded. I v

4. A container comprising a plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relative to each other from an expanded position spaced each other from an expanded o sition spaced from each other to a collapse position adjacent each other, a generally V-shaped articlesupporting member. connected to one partition and extending in a general direction toward a second partition and arranged to fold up between saidpartitions when they are col- ,lapsed,.saidsupporting member including a surface adjacent said second partition and a slot in said surface, and means including a lug engaging saidslot for supporting said article supporting member adjacent said secondpartition while permitting said' member I to move longitudinally relative to said sec ond partition when the partitions are collapsed or expanded.

- 6. A container comprising a plurality'of partitions mova le relative to each other rom an expande' position spaced from each other to a collapsed position adjacent each other, a'partition member extending in a generally transverse direction relative to said partitions when thelatter'are in expanded an article supporting member conone partition and extending in a general direction toward a second partition, and means including a slot in said supporting member and a lug on said partition member engaging. said slot for supporting'said article supporting member adjacent said sec ond partition.

7 A container comprising a plurality to each other froman expanded position spaced from each other to a collapsed posia partition member extending .in a generally transverse direction relative to said partitions when the latter are in expanded position, a generally V-shaped article supporting member connected to one partition and extending in a general direc- 0nd partition while permitting said member 7 tion toward a second partition and arranged to fold up between said partitions when they are collapsed, said supporting member including a surface adjacent said second partition and a slot in said surface, and means including a lug on said partition member engaging said slot for supporting said article supportmg member ad acent said second partition while permitting said supporting memher to move longitudinally relative tosaid second partition when the partitions are collapsed or expanded.

8. A container comprising a plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relative to each other from an expanded position spaced from each other to a collapsed position adjacent each other, a partitionmcmber ex tending in a generally transverse direction relative to said partitions when the latter' are in expanded position, a generally V- shaped article supporting member connected to one partition and extending in a general direction toward a second partition and arranged to fold up between said partitions when they are collapsed, said supporting member including a flange lying substantially flat against said second partition and a bearing surface on said transverse partition member tending to hold said flange substantially against saidsecond partition,

9. A container comprisinga plurality of partitions movable longitudinally relative to each other from an expanded position spaced against said second partition and a slot in said flange, and a lug on said partition member engaging said slot for supporting said flange while permitting said flange to move longitudinally relative to said second partition when the partitions are collapsed or expanded. i

10. A container comprising a body, a plurality of partitions placeable in and removable from said body, said partitions when removed from said body being longitudinally movable relative to each other from an expanded position spaced from each other to a collapsed position adjacent each other, a cushioning article supporting member connected to one partition and extending in a general direction toward another partition and arranged when said partitions are in said body to support an article above the bot tom of said body, and means for supporting said member adjacent said second partition panded.

HARRY A. INMAN. 

